By now most teams have shaken off the rust and are into the groove of the season. Here re my round 5 predictions.

First here is a link to my round-up of all the action from around the globe last weekend.

How did your round 4 predictions go?

2 from 6, there were a bunch of upsets but it’s never nice to have that many wrong.

Here are my round 5 predictions, read below for the reasons.

Bristol v Saracens

The opening game of the weekend is easy to pick as an away win. Saracens will be looking to bounce back from a rare loss last weekend and Bristol will feel the brunt of that. Bristol always knew that the opening 5 games were going to be extremely tough and that Newcastle in round 6 would be their first real target.

Saracens by 15

Northampton Saints v Exeter Chiefs

The second game is the one that I chose of the #RugbyChat poll. Saints have been close to winning games but discipline and handling have let them down over the last 2 weekends. Exeter had a tough start but over the last 2 weekends have done the business. Saints really need to get a win or they will be seeing a big gap to the top 4 playoff places. Exeter similarly want to keep place with the top sides for the playoffs. Exeter look to be in better from so I’m going for an away win here.

Sale Sharks v Leicester Tigers

This 1 I found to be really hard to call. Sale do have a good home record but they lost to Gloucester and only managed a draw away to Worcester, but away form is never their thing. Tigers on the other hand have been going well even if they got lucky up in Newcastle. Perhaps I’m picking more on last seasons form but Sale really have had a fortress up in Manchester and so I’m backing the home side.

Sale Sharks by 5

Gloucester Rugby v Bath

Gloucester have had an up and down start to the season with a good half against Tigers followed up by that win away to Sale. But then providing Falcons with their first away win in an age brought them back down to earth. Bath in contrast started with 3 wins before Tigers dominated them last weekend. If you look at those wins though they did include Falcons and Worcester at home so not the hardest fixtures. Still Bath have shown more this season and I think will win this derby game.

Bath by 5

Wasps v Harlequins

Wasps have been the revelation in the Premiership this season. Many of us thought that they would take some time to settle with so many new players. 4 Wins later we are having to eat our words. Quins upped the intensity and beat Saracens last weekend so they have shown they are capable of beating anyone. They won that fixture last season too and weren’t able to kick on so with that history I think Wasps will sin this one.

Wasps by 10

Worcester Warriors v Newcastle Falcons

Warriors have drawn both their home games this season and as things come in 3s I’m going to a draw again. Yes this sounds silly and it’s unlikely to happen but Warriors have not been able to hold onto leads. Falcons have have great start with 2 wins and 1 of those was away as I mentioned earlier. To get 2 away wins after not having any for so long is perhaps assign too much, so yes draw it is.

Draw

If Falcons do get a result this weekend against Warriors and next weekend against Bristol, you have to think that they can look up not down as suggested on #RugbyChat this week.

Do give me your views below in the comments and enjoy the rugby this weekend where ever you may be watching.

#RugbyChat

Join the #RugbyChat on twitter for an hour of discussion about the action this weekend. If you can’t make the hour then you can still give your view as the conversation keeps going over the following day.

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